Ed Anderson isn’t just humming through life.

He’s not only making a living, but he’s doing what he loves: making music.

“If you like to do something, then that is what you should be doing,” he said.

The St. Charles native received his undergraduate degree from NIU and master’s degree from Illinois State University. He used to play in the Bloomington-Normal band Brother Jed during grad school and the three years that followed.

Anderson will be returning to DeKalb during his upcoming Illinois college circuit tour, stopping in Macomb, Bloomington-Normal and St. Charles.

His solo acoustic performance will be at 9:30 p.m. Friday at The House, 263 E. Lincoln Highway.

Anderson has lived by his advice for happiness and recently left the Midwest to head in a new direction. He’s traded his band Brother Jed and a record contract for a solo career and a fresh start in Asheville, N.C.

Soon after his move he began hosting a weekly open-mic night at Black Mountain Music Hall, where he was introduced to bluegrass music.

The club’s manager, J.D. Sutphin, was so impressed with Anderson’s performance during an interview that he hired him after only a few minutes.

Sutphin is in charge of the reproduction of Anderson’s albums and sealed his single “I Missed You” with his words of praise.

He calls Anderson’s talent “the most innovative, stirring and compelling music that I have been blessed to experience in years.”

Anderson modestly said he was thankful for the compliment but didn’t know if he would take it that far.

Anderson says his solo show surprises his audiences with its big sound.

“You wouldn’t believe the noise that comes from me,” Anderson said confidently.

He’s a one-man-band, playing the bass drum with his foot, the guitar with his hands and the harmonica when he’s not singing.

While he is multi-instrumental, he is not your typical one-man-band strapped with instruments all over his body. He thinks his music is tasteful and soulful but “not cymbals on my knees.”

Anderson first picked up a guitar during high school. He taught himself how to play, except for the few chords his dad showed him. Breaking away from his old band allowed Anderson to become more skilled on bass, drums and guitar.

Having a studio in his home lets him have the freedom to play each instrument in his songs and combine them with a digital recorder.

He said the technology isn’t hard to come by, and while it may not be expensive radio quality, it suffices in getting his music out there.

Anderson’s soulful sound comes from a varying song-writing process, mostly jump-started by a clever melody he stumbles upon.

His lyrics are created similarly if he likes the way a line sounds.

He’ll say to himself, “man, that’s a great line, I have to put that somewhere.”

He engulfs many musical spectrums; whether it be fast or slow, light-hearted or serious, uplifting or sobering.

Anderson also combines many genres to get his eclectic sound. Listening to his CD single, “I Miss You,” traces of blues, rock and jazz prevail.

Curious listeners can go to www.green-leafmusic.com to play and download Anderson’s songs.

While he and his wife are avid music listeners, radio listening is minimal as their personal collection dominates their stereo.

Artists he appreciates are the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Miles Davis and Buddy Guy.

In 20 years Anderson hopes to be an established and respected musician. He also would like to produce musicians and help others break into the industry.

“The music industry is crazy-one day someone could hear your CD, and the next thing they are using it on a soundtrack and you take-off,” he said.